Surge in investment activity in North Lanarkshire

Daily Record

2 days ago

Commercial property sales in the area soared by 90 per cent in the past financial year alone, reaching a total value of £145.7 million.
North Lanarkshire is becoming one of Scotland's most attractive places to do business, with a surge in investment activity in recent months.
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Recent figures reveal that commercial property sales in the area soared by 90 per cent in the past financial year alone, reaching a total value of £145.7 million.
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In addition, more than 1.6 million square feet of commercial space changed hands in 2024/25 - nearly double the figure recorded the year before.
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The rise in activity is being driven by a wave of confidence from businesses of all sizes, with both domestic firms and international players choosing to expand or base themselves in the area.
Councillor Alex McVey, convener of the enterprise and fair work committee, explained: "These latest figures highlight continued economic growth across North Lanarkshire.
"It's part of a co-ordinated approach by North Lanarkshire Council and our partners over the past few years.
"For example, our INVEST pre-planning service is streamlining the process for developers and investors, helping accelerate projects and reducing time to market.
"Companies also benefit from one-to-one business advice, training, recruitment support, and access to sector-specific grants and funding.
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"With a variety of land and accommodation on offer - from start-up units to large industrial premises - the area is an ideal place for businesses to thrive."
Just this month two major Italian-owned companies, Eurostampa and Guala Closures, opened major new manufacturing facilities in North Lanarkshire.
Eurostampa, a leader in high-quality label printing, has moved from Glasgow to a state-of-the-art facility in Cumbernauld.
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This £30 million investment, supported by Scottish Enterprise, represents the largest in the company's history.
The new site nearly doubles the company's production space, enabling it to meet growing demand, especially from the Scotch whisky sector, while also improving energy efficiency and reducing carbon emissions.
Meanwhile, only a few miles away in Gartcosh, Guala Closures, a global specialist in innovative bottle closures, has officially opened its own cutting-edge facility after investing over €60 million.
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The plant, which spans 20,000 square metres and employs more than 300 people, is one of the largest investments ever made by an Italian company in the UK.
The facility not only boosts Guala Closures' production capacity but also demonstrates a strong commitment to sustainability.
"Our new facility is designed for maximum efficiency and scalability, allowing us to optimise operations and create tangible value, both for our customers and for our business," said Andrea Lodetti, CEO of Guala Closures.
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With solar panels, energy-efficient lighting, and responsible water management systems, the site is built to the highest environmental standards.
It also hosts a specialist R&D centre focused on high-end closures, helping the company develop bespoke, high-performance packaging solutions for the whisky industry and beyond.
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Councillor Kenneth Duffy, Provost of North Lanarkshire, attended the official openings of both businesses.
He welcomed the news, saying: "North Lanarkshire has a reputation for innovation and sustainability, it really is one of Scotland's most exciting business locations.
"We have an ever-growing base of investors who are creating new job opportunities for people who live here.
"It's a very positive story and I'm proud that so many businesses are choosing to invest here."
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